The Jerusalem-sinner saved, or, Good news for the vilest of men being a help…

I am persuaded, did men believe that there is that Grace and Willingness in the Heart of Christ to save Sinners, as the Word imports there is, they would come tumbling into his Arms: But Satan has blinded their Minds, that they cannot see this thing. Howbeit the Lo•d Jesus has, as I said, that others might take Heart ⟨p. 46⟩and come to him, given out a commandment that Mercy should in the fi•st place be offered to the biggest Sinners. Begin, saith he, at Jerusalem. And thus I end the third Reason.

I am perswaded, did men believe that there is that Grace and Willingness in the Heart of Christ to save Sinners, as the Word imports there is, they would come tumbling into his Arms: But Satan has blinded their Minds, that they cannot see this thing. Howbeit the Lo•d Jesus has, as I said, that others might take Heart ⟨p. 46⟩and come to him, given out a commandment that Mercy should in the fi•st place be offered to the biggest Sinners. Begin, saith he, at Jerusalem. And thus I end the third Reason.

Fourthly, Jesus Christ would have Mercy offered in the first place to the biggest Sinners, Because that is the way, if they receive it, most to weaken the Kingdom of Satan, and to keep it lowest in every Age of the World. The biggest Sinners, they are Satan's Colonels, and Captains, the Leaders of his People, and they that most stoutly make Head against the Son of God. Wherefore let these first be conquered, and his Kingdom will be weak. When Ishbosheth had lost his Abner, his Kingdom was made weak, nor did he sit but tottering then upon his Throne. So when Satan loseth his strong men, them that are mighty to work Iniquity, and dextrous to manage others in the same, then is his Kingdom weak (